Sophia woman succumbs to burns

Wazim Perreira
Wazim Perreira

Olivia De Freitas, the 25-year-old woman who was allegedly set on fire by her partner during a disagreement at their Sophia home one month ago, succumbed to her injuries last week.

De Freitas sustained second degree burns about her body, including to her face, abdomen, chest and back as a result of an attack that occurred around 1 pm on September 9th at her Lot 113 North Sophia home.

She was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where she was admitted in a critical conditon. She succumbed last Thursday.

An autopsy performed on De Freitas’ remains on Wednesday showed that she died as a result of septic burns.

De Freitas was laid to rest yesterday.

Police have said that her partner, Wazim Perreira, visited De Freitas’ home and requested to speak to her but she refused.

As a result, he left the premises and subsequently returned with a container containing gasoline, which he allegedly threw on her before setting her on fire.

Perreira then tried escaping but the woman’s screams alerted the neighbours, who apprehended him.

Days after, Perreira appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he was charged with attempt murder and was remanded to prison.

He is likely to be charged with the capital offence of murder soon.

Perreira is known to the police.

In August last year, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after he admitted to escaping from the Kitty Police Station while in custody for larceny of cattle.

In 2017, he was charged for assaulting his brother.